Frequently Asked Questions
Where Are You based?
Our base is at the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey Marlow.
All customers visiting us here must have booked in advance.
We also operate all along the non-tidal River Thames at various drop-off locations.
More details CLICK HERE
Do You Have Free Parking?
Yes, at our Marlow Base, customers can park cars in the day and over night if required at their own risk.Â
The site does have security, but we will not take any liability for cars parked at the location.Â
When we meet customers at other sites along the Thames, we can normally suggest places to park, many of them free, but not all.Â
Do You Have Electric Car Charging on site?
Yes, at our Bisham Base, there are six electic car charging, which are available on a first come first basis.
These are situated in the large covered parking area at the back of the modern building and are accessed and paud for by an app – details available through a QR code by the meter.Â
Do I Have to Pre-Book?
Yes – we do not accept turn up and hope bookings!
We can accept bookings on the day by phone 01628 566290 – if we have availability.
What age children can come?
Paddle sports are different to renting a motor boat – they can be affected by weather conditions on the day!
We have some minimum ages depending on the craft:
On our Canadian Canoes, we can take children as young as 4 years (with 2 adults also on board).
Double Kayaks – 6 years with an adult.
Single Kayaks – 14 Years
Paddle boards from our base – 14 Years.
All young people will need to have an adult (25+ years) member of their party on the water with them.
We will enforce our rule strictly as safety is our #1 priority.
For families wishing to come on the river with younger children (min age 2 years), we have our Zen Electric Motor BoatsÂ
Do You Supply Life Jackets?
Yes – everyone who goes in one of our canoes or on a SUP must wear a minimum 50N Buoyancy Aid. We will fit you with these before you get on a boat.
Younger children should wear a 100N Life Jacket (which means the child does not have to be able to swim).
Everyone participating should be able to swim at least 50 metres.Â
Can I Book by the Hour or Half Day?
Yes – Please book online or Call
What Should I Wear?
NO JEANS or heavy cotton or material trousers!
We recommend lightweight clothes and layers and a lightweight waterproof top.
Remember hats and sun glasses and sun cream – even on a duller day, you will catch the sun from the reflection off the water.Â
There is a high chance that people on our Paddle Boards will end up in the water, so swimming gear and a spare change of clothes recommended.Â
Do we go through Locks?
If you are in a Canadian Canoe we recommend going through the locks locks ar gentle and a fun experience).
You have the option if you are in a Kayak to go in or carry (portage).
Paddle Boards must NOT go in the locks and are easily carried.
We will go though all of this detail in our safety briefing with you on the day.Â
Can we bring a picnic?
Of course! If you are hiring open canoes from us, there is plenty of space.Â
If you are in a Kayak or on a SUP you will need to bring smaller amounts which can be strapped on the the craft and make sure that everything is water tight.Â
We suggest you wash your hands or clean with antibacterial wipes or gel before eating and drinking.Â
Will I Fall In?
If you follow our instructions and are renting a canoe or a kayak, you should not fall in!
If you are renting a Stand Up Paddle Board, then the chances are greatly increased and customers should dress and come prepared for the fact that they will.
Do You have a weight limit for customers?
Our boats are CE rated to take a certain amount of combined weight in them and our largest buoyancy aids are a standard XXL size. If we are unable to fit a buoyancy aid on a customer we are unable to let the person paddle in our boats. Â
Are there Pubs we can stop off at on the way?
There are 2 pubs in Hurley Village (The Rising Sun and Ye Olde Bell) – about 1.5 hours from us – as short walk from Hurley lock.
Customers can leave boats on the lock and walk from there.
For those looking for a longer paddle, the Flower Pot at Aston is further upstram and an ealier start is required to get there and back.Â
How Far Will I Travel?
It’s hard for us to say exactly due to various factors:
Your strength and fitness, how much kit you have in a boat, which way and the strength of the wind and the stream conditions.Â
However, we have factored in to our packages a calculation based on you travelling at 2.5mph – which is 20 minutes per mile and 7 minutes per lock.Â
You also need to factor in a ‘phaff’ element – things always take longer than most of us plan for!
We would prefer that you enjoy your day and achieve your goals comfortably!
Can I bring my pet?
No – We’re sorry.
Although we love dogs, we have had several bad experiences where people have brought dogs which are not suited or use to boats and have decided to make it our rule.Â
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Can I Cancel a Booking?
Yes, we have a cancellation policy that we think is fair.
Please take a look at it in our HIRER TERMS AND CONDTIONSÂ
What if The Weather is Bad?
Obviously we want you to have a good time, and if the weather is looking terrible, we are happy to discuss you changing to another day if we can accommodate you.Â
If there are just showers around, we would expect you to still go out!
If there is thunder and lightening very close by, we recommend that you get off the water and wait 30 minutes after the last lightning.Â
Can The Company Cancel a Booking?
Only if the weather or stream conditions are outside our Risk and Insured limits. Also, we reserve the right to allow anyone access to our boats at our discretion – for things like too much alcohol consumption.
What happens if I am running late?
Just give us a call on the day on 01491 520002 and we will try our best to get things sorted and we can normally accommodate this.
Our cut-off time is 12.45pm – we leave site then.Â
Do You Take Deposits?
No, not for general rentals.
We do reserve the right to do so for larger groups and would advise at the booking stage.Â
Do You Do Lessons?
No, we just hire our boats.
Are You Insured?
Yes, we are fully insured for our standard rentals*(For Remote SUP Collection/Post Service only – see below).
For standard rentals we are required to supply correctly fitting buoyancy aids and running through a quick Safety Demonstration.
*For our Remote SUP service only – (where a customer collects or we post paddleboards), we do not provide a safety briefing.Â
For this service, we have PL insurance but the Hirer is NOT insured for Personal Injury and should check that they have their own cover in place.Â
Is there Weills Disease in the Thames
The River Thames is much cleaner than it used to be. There is a very slight risk of catching Weill’s disesase.
We recommend that paddlers cover any cuts or abrasions with a waterproof plaster prior to coming on our boats.
Customers are also advised to shower at home if they happen to go in the river, wash hands or wipe with antibacterial wipes or gel before eating and drinking.Â
Should a customer experience flu like symtoms shortly after going on the water, they should mention to their GP that they have been on the Thames.Â
Can we launch our own SUP's and Canoes with you?
If you are renting from us we do not mind if a couple of people in your party launch their own SUP, Canoe Or Kayak from our site.Â
Even those in their own boats MUST wear a suitable floatation device when launching from our base – we can supply £5 per BA per day.Â
We do not allow people to launch their own craft if they are not renting with us. We have CCTV and we will follow up with anyone launching without permission.Â
What time do I have to finish by?
For our standard day Hire, customers need to return to our base by 5.30 pm.
For half days its 1.15omÂ
What Happens if We Return Late?
Please see our Hirer Terms for charges for late returns.
